Police seeking driver in deadly hit-and-run

ESCONDIDO: A man was struck by a car as he was climbing into his parked pickup yesterday and later died, police said.

The elderly man had just left his house on Begonia Street about 2 p.m. and was getting into his truck, parked at the curb, when a Honda Accord veered across the road and hit him, Escondido police said. The Honda then continued down the road and struck another parked vehicle.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he later died of major blunt-force trauma. His name was not released.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, which is under investigation. No arrests have been made. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Walters at (760) 839-4939.

Kristina Davis

Teen running into street hit by truck in Lakeside

LAKESIDE: A 13-year-old girl was flown to a hospital last night after she was struck by a pickup.

A 55-year-old woman was driving south on Winter Gardens Boulevard when the girl crossed in front of the truck at Lemon Crest Drive about 5:20 p.m., said California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Pennings.

The woman, from Lakeside, was traveling about 40 mph, had a green light and swerved to avoid the girl, Pennings said. Witnesses said the girl was running west across the road to catch up with a group of girls who had already crossed the road, the spokesman said.

The girl complained that she was in pain and was taken to the hospital to be treated for unknown injuries.

The robber entered the bank, at Mira Mesa Boulevard and Black Mountain Road, shortly before 10 a.m. and gave a note to a teller. He then fled with an unknown amount of cash, San Diego police said. No weapon was seen.

He was described as white and clean-shaven, wearing a black baseball cap, black trench coat and possibly a black shirt.

Kristina Davis

Robber grabs register, hits manager with car

SAN DIEGO: Police are searching for a robber who grabbed the cash register from a discount store and struck the manager with his vehicle as he fled yesterday.

The robber entered Ya Ya 99 Cent Store on Federal Boulevard near Fairmount Avenue in the Webster neighborhood about 9:30 a.m. and snatched the register, San Diego police said. The manager ran after him, but was bumped by the robber as he sped off in a small white car. The manager was not seriously injured.

The robber was described as black, in his 30s and about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with short black hair and wearing a blue jacket and jeans.

The vandalism series dates to 2008 and has cost a substantial amount in property damage, San Diego police said.

The crimes usually occur after dark, when the vandals break off sprinkler heads from irrigation risers along the landscaped areas of Scripps Poway Parkway, Spring Canyon Road, Scripps Ranch Boulevard and Cypress Canyon Park Drive.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the series. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling (888) 580-8477 or texting or e-mailing via sdcrimestoppers.com.

Kristina Davis

Tires slashed, deflated on at least 30 vehicles

ESCONDIDO: Tires on at least 30 vehicles parked in several locations were either slashed or deflated overnight in the central and eastern portions of Escondido, authorities said.

Police were notified about 8:30 a.m. of the vandalism and have been contacting owners, Escondido police Lt. Michael Loarie said.

The cars were in parking lots or on the street in the areas of North Rose Street and East Valley Parkway, 500 N. Fig St., 900 E. Fourth Ave., 900 E. Second Ave. and 900 E. Grand Ave., Loarie said.

Officers were looking at surveillance tape to help them solve the crimes, Loarie said.

Debbi Baker

Man pleads not guilty in drive-by-shooting case

SAN DIEGO COURTS: A 26-year-old man accused of killing another man during a drive-by shooting in the Logan Heights neighborhood pleaded not guilty yesterday to a charge of murder.

Samuel Alexander Webster also faces a special-circumstance allegation of murder during a drive-by, which makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek Webster’s execution if he is found guilty. If not, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski ordered Webster to be held without bail and appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent him.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Reizen told the judge that Webster shot Devin Lamarr Johnson, 44, on Dec. 10. Several of Johnson’s family members attended the arraignment and sobbed as the prosecutor gave his account of the slaying.

Reizen said Johnson and his girlfriend entered a liquor store on Fairmount Avenue near Thorn Street about noon. Webster and his girlfriend entered moments later.

Johnson left the liquor store to walk to a nearby bus stop, where his girlfriend was going to catch a bus. Webster, who can be seen in surveillance video repeatedly looking over his shoulder in Johnson’s direction, exchanged words with Johnson outside the store, the prosecutor said.

Webster got into a silver Honda with his girlfriend, who was driving, and directed her to go up the street and make a U-turn, the prosecutor said. As they drove past Johnson, Webster allegedly pointed a semiautomatic weapon out the window and fired two shots, one of which hit Johnson in the back, Reizen said.

Two witnesses described hearing Webster say, “I smoked you,” after the shots were fired.

Webster’s girlfriend told police that he asked, “Did you see my aim?” after the shooting.

Members of the San Diego County Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Webster early Monday as he left a motel in Camarillo in Ventura County.

Outside the courtroom yesterday, Reizen said the motive for the shooting is not clear. Although Reizen works in the District Attorney’s Office gang prosecution unit, no gang allegations have been filed in the case.

Dana Littlefield

Man gets 26 years to life for killing romantic rival

SAN DIEGO COURTS: A Spring Valley man convicted of conspiring with a friend to kill a rival for his former girlfriend’s affections was sentenced yesterday to 26 years to life in prison.

George Henry Berardi, 29, was found guilty in San Diego Superior Court of first-degree murder and conspiracy charges in the July 2005 shooting death of Marcus Keglar, 21.

Police officers found Keglar semiconscious and lying on a sidewalk on Castle Glen Drive in Serra Mesa with a gunshot wound to his head. He died at a hospital the next day.

Another man, Daniel May, 29, also was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the slaying. Prosecutors said May was the gunman.